Event History
North Adams Open Studios informally began in 2004, when six artists, who had moved into the then newly renovated Eclipse Mill Artists Lofts, opened their doors to the community for the first time – hoping to introduce themselves and their artwork to their new community.
Although the first event only drew 100 visitors, many of whom were former mill workers curious to take a look around the lofts, the idea of hosting an annual weekend-long event began to take shape.
The annual creative showcase became a city-wide event in 2006, including artists from the Eclipse, Beaver and Windsor mills, creating a corridor of art venues along Route 2. Artists without easily accessible home studios or non-traditional studios were invited to join for the first time as well, sharing space in vacant downtown storefronts.
In 2009, the all-volunteer run North Adams Open Studios was honored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council – one of seven venues to be recognized with its Gold Star Award that year. Open Studios, which was nominated by the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, was selected from a field of some 5,000 eligible venues supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, across the state.